The Murray State News

The Murray State News September 5, 2014

TheNews.org

Vol. 89, No. 4

Survey shows 5 percent of freshmen require remedial classes Mary Bradley

Assistant News Editor mbradley9@murraystate.edu

Five percent of respondents to a New Student Freshmen Survey are enrolled in all three available remedial courses.

The survey was answered by 873 of approximately 1,454 Murray State freshmen.

That 5 percent is an estimate of the freshman class, since 40 percent of freshmen did not complete the survey.

Students may be placed in

either math, English or reading remedial courses depending on their American College Testing (ACT) scores.

For math ACT scores, the score requiring remediation is 18 or below.

For English ACT scores, the score requiring remediation is 17 or below.

For reading ACT scores, the score requiring remediation is 19 or below.

In a June 2009 report from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education,

Students ready for new Franklin Amanda Grau || Staff writer agrau1@murraystate.edu

In spring 2015 Franklin Residential College will get more than a facelift—it will get a full-body makeover.

The new building, to be located to the south of Hart Residential College, will cost Murray State an estimated $25 million.

The current Franklin cost the school a meager $1,015,450.65 back in 1962 — Springer Residential College cost just $939,794.51 two years later.

There are also plans to completely rebuild Springer Residential College, which is north of Hart, after Franklin is complete.

Plans to build a new Franklin are currently being drawn up by Murphy Graves Trimble, PLLC, based out of Lexington, Ky. The project will break ground this spring and should be finished by summer 2016.

Like Hester Residential College and Elizabeth Residential College before, Franklin will be LEED Silver certified, meaning it will meet new energy-efficient federal requirements.

Chief Officer of Facilities Management Kim Oatman said students do not have to worry about displacement while the new building is being constructed.

“The plan is to construct a new Franklin and a new Springer before we demolish the remaining, old low rises (Springer, Richmond, Franklin residential colleges),” Oatman said.

Despite its age, Jamie Blaylock, freshman from St. Louis said the residential college is holding up fairly well, but if he had his choice it would not have been Franklin.

“It seems pretty well kept,” Blaylock said.

“A little bland. My brother asked me why I was living in an insane asylum the first time he walked in. I would have liked (James H.) Richmond.”

Despite the upkeep, the yellow wall next to the front desk peels in large flakes, revealing years of paint layers and the building’s real age.

The binder of resident-placed work orders also provides evidence of the building’s aging interior.

Listed down just one page is a water damaged ceiling, missing parts of bathrooms and sinks, a fist-sized hole in a wall and a broken bed frame – all from just a week and a half of classes.

Last semester’s biggest complaint was squirrels in the air conditioning units.

The units have since been replaced, but continue to malfunction.

Logan Henz, sophomore from Fishers, Ind., said despite having hornets in her room last year, she felt the facilities were still relatively well maintained.

“I mean, it’s a dorm,” Henz said, “It’s not bad though. I like living here. There’s a good community. Whenever you see an RA (residential adviser) on campus they always say hi.”

The community built within the residential college is the most common compliment among residents walking through the front door, coming back from classes.

Despite many of them not getting their first-choice college, they are satisfied with where they were placed.

see FRANKLIN, 2A

WHAT’S

INSIDE

5,972 of the 18,114, which is 33 percent, first-time freshmen at four-year public Kentucky universities were enrolled in remedial courses.

For Murray State, 418 of 1,399 first-time freshman, or 29.9 percent, were enrolled in remedial courses in 2009.

When Katie Byrnes, junior from Memphis, Tenn., came to Murray State as a freshman, she said she had to take MAT 096 due to her ACT score.

Byrnes said she thought it was easy since she took the

“

course in high school, but did not see it as helpful when taking higher-level math courses.

“It was helpful for when I took the PPST (Pre-Professional Skills Test), which is the test to get into teacher education services,” she said.

“But it did not really help me with the next math course I took, which was MAT 117.”

Students like Byrnes take remedial courses in the Lowry Center, where Director for Continuing Education and Academic Outreach Shauna Mul-

lins oversees resources such tutoring services.

Mullins said tutoring at Lowry is available to all Murray State students regardless of whether or not they are taking remedial courses.

Tutoring for remedial classes include all mathematics courses below 250, and English classes 095 and 100.

Tutoring is also available for upper-level, program-specific courses.

With tutoring, Mullins said students, remedial and not,

tend to need more help with mathematics and sciences.

“The math and sciences are the strongest,” Mullins said of student tutoring attendance.

“That’s what we have the most of available. We typically do see a pretty good turnout. Last year we had more than 250 students come see us.”

Mullins said some students come for a few hours a week, but she said others will spend nearly 20 to 30 hours a week in

see REMEDIAL, 2A

Looks like a nice day to go target shootin’ in front of the library.

”

- anonymous comment on ‘Yik Yak’ social media platform after last week’s protest on events in Ferguson, Mo.

Protest sparks social media reaction Kate Russell || Staff writer krussell13@murraystate.edu

While comments posted on a social messaging site in response to a protest last week have angered many on campus, students and faculty say the latest controversy could amplify the conversation about tolerance.

Yik Yak, a social messaging app much like Twitter, allows for completely anonymous posting by users. The app uses GPS to localize posts on mobile devices so only users from a particular area can see comments from that region. On Aug. 28, some people around Murray State’s campus used Yik Yak to make anonymous comments, or “Yaks,” about the students, faculty and staff who staged a protest in the wake of the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. The posts included comments such as, “Rush KKK! Get the word out!” and “50

likes and I’ll start a white power protest.”

Brian Clardy, assistant professor of history, participated in the Ferguson protest.

Clardy had not heard of the Yik Yak posts about the protest, but after he read them he said he had nothing but pity for the commenters.

“We need to make people aware of the fact that this is the 21st century, not the 19th,” he said.

For Clardy, the “Yaks” show a need for an ongoing dialogue about tolerance, inclusion and diversity. He believes the people that posted the prejudicial comments do not represent the University as a whole.

“They’ll see they’re wrong, they’re on the wrong side of history,” he said.

Alexis Riley, junior from Owensboro, Ky., also participated in the protest. Riley said she had never heard of Yik Yak be-

see REACTION, 2A

WHAT IS YIK YAK?

• a social media platform allowing people to post anonymously and see posts in their immediate area • you can “upvote” what you like, and “downvote” what you don’t • any post that has been downvoted five times is instantly deleted

Student hit by car near campus Mary Bradley

Assistant News Editor mbradley9@murraystate.edu

A student was hit by a car on Hughes Street by Mr. J’s Grill and Pub Tuesday afternoon while crossing the street to reach a parking lot.

The student, Tara Pursley, junior from Benton, Ky., was hit by Bobbie Fazzini of Paris, Tenn. according to a Murray Police Department report.

Officers and Murray Ambulance Services reported to Hughes Street after receiving an emergency call from a bystander who witnessed the accident.

A witness, junior Logan Carroll from Paducah, Ky., said the accident could have given Pursley a concussion or broken bone, but said he didn’t believe it caused any major injuries.

Carroll said he was standing at the Sigma Chi fraternity house just down the road as he saw Pursley walking to the nearby commuter parking lot with her boyfriend. As rainfall began to increase, she began to run.

Carroll said the Pursley’s boyfriend saw the car before she did, but by the time he called out her name, she was

WHAT’S ON THENEWS.ORG VIDEO

Assistant Features Editor Breanna Sill updates you on campus events and issues.

POLL

Do you use the new social media platform, Yik Yak?

Lexy Gross/The News

Tara Pursley, junior from Benton, Ky., was hit by a car Tuesday afternoon on Hughes Street near campus. already in the middle of the street.

He added that the accident, while Pursley did suffer unknown injuries, was not as bad as it could have been.

“She couldn’t have been going that fast from the corner,” Carroll said of the driver. “She was able to stop within a few feet of it happening.”

The Murray Police Department said speed wasn’t a factor in the accident and a non-criminal investigation was completed.

Pursley was moved onto a stretcher and into the ambulance, which took her to Murray-Calloway County Hospital.

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T-ROOM OVERFLOW

OUR VIEW

LOUISVILLE PREVIEW

SAFE SCHOOLS

Long lines are unfortunate reality for students, 3A

College Readiness may hurt students in long run, 4A

Racer football travels to play the Cardinals, 1B

University acknowledges campus safety month, 4B

The News

News

2A

September 5, 2014

REMEDIAL

FRANKLIN

From Page 1

From Page 1

tutoring.

For students who are taking remedial classes, there are many resources such as summer courses and tutoring available to help them adjust to college-level courses.

However, the number of students accepted into Murray State needing remedial courses may change.

Fred Dietz, associate vice president of Enrollment Management, said the Admissions Office will begin to look at its admission criteria and possibly make it more rigorous for the upcoming year.

“It’s one of our goals to look at the admission criteria, but also the students that are successful at Murray State, what their ACT and GPA is out of high school and if they’re graduating in four, five or six years,” Dietz said. “It’s on the president’s agenda and we’ll begin to put a group together to look at it.”

Dietz said there are students who can enroll in summer courses to help prepare them for the fall.

By taking these courses, he said the students’ success rate during the summer can help determine how they will do during the school year.

However, if no improvements are shown, they cannot continue to take classes in the fall.

Dietz added that transitioning from the summer remedial courses to the fall semester can be difficult for students

“It was my third choice, I’m pretty sure,” said Erica Mullins, freshman from Louisville, Ky. “My first choice was Lizo (Elizabeth) because it’s newly renovated, and my roommate’s first choice was Hart so that was my second.”

Mullins said her only real complaint was how small her room was.

Beyond that, bed risers and some color helped give her white cement space a homier and softer feel.

“I’m living with my best friend, and our RA group is a lot of fun,” Mullins said.

“We’ve got a good community here.”

A plan is in motion to renovate and replace other residential colleges on campus.

Over the next 10 years, Regents, White and Hart Residential Colleges will be renovated.

These renovations will come from Murray State funding.

“We will keep the old Franklin, Richmond and Springer in place until after we finish our long range plan of getting all the high rises renovated and building the new ones,” Oatman told WKMS.

Graphic by Summer Bush

with full residential colleges and many more students returning to campus, but the students still have to meet academic requirements.

“They have to adhere to good academic standing to be able to stay, so

that’s their benchmark,” Dietz said.

“They have to be performing well to continue on.”

Additionally, students and University members will work with the retention office to help the students stay on cam-

pus through counseling and speaking to students who at at-risk of leaving.

“With retention and enrollment, it’s a collective effort,” Dietz said. “It’s not one person, it’s faculty, staff and students, too.”

Downtown Murray suffers REACTION after building disasters From Page 1

mjasper1@murraystate.edu

Twenty-six businesses were affected by the downtown Murray disasters of 2014, according to a summary by the Murray-Calloway Chamber of Commerce.

These events include a building collapse, a partial roof collapse and a fire.

BUILDING COLLAPSE

Gatlin Building, a 21,000 square-foot structure built 135 years ago, collapsed Feb. 22. The National Trust for Historic Preservation paid for several engineers to assess the damage. The Kentucky Heritage Council also helped by providing free architect work. However, the building was deemed unsafe to preserve.

At the time, the building housed two certified public accountant firms. A law office and an apartment were also part of the building.

One hundred and twenty-one jobs were displaced in the collapse, according to the chamber report’s summary.

ROOF COLLAPSE

A month after the Gatlin Building collapse, the Murray Fire Department responded to a partial roof collapse at 117 S. 4th St. The building was built 124 years ago.

Main, 5th, and Maple streets were closed to all traffic. Marla Thompson, owner of The Cake Lady, said her business was affected immediately because her business had multiple orders to deliver and a wedding to cater. Main and 5th streets have since been opened, but Maple Street remained closed.

FIRE DAMAGE

One million gallons of water were used to extinguish the fire at Wilson’s Florist on July 23.

The fire reached the twin building at 116 S. 5th St., which housed Profiles Hair

Salon and Spiced Boutique. It then spread directly behind Wilson’s Florist to the Tucker building on Maple Street.

Three buildings were destroyed, five businesses were closed indefinitely and 37 jobs were displaced in the fire. $1,265,150 worth of property value was lost in the fire, according to the summary.

Becca Kilby, senior from Murray, said it saddens her to see the place where she grew up experience so much damage.

“It’s sad that it is falling apart,” Kilby said.

She said growing up she would walk down to the court square to buy a drink and visit friends. “There’s more memories for me there than any other part of town,” she said.

Wilson’s Florist was a 4,000 square foot structure built in the early 1920s. The Tucker building was built 66 years ago on 15,000 square feet of historic property.

The Tucker building then housed the CPA firm of Thurman Campbell Group.

DOWNTOWN IS ‘OPEN FOR BUSINESS’

The Murray Main Street Program and The Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce launched their “Downtown is Open for Business” campaign in February with help from the Murray Convention and Visitors Bureau. Their mission is to keep downtown business strong, keep downtown alive and keep people shopping local.

Deana Wright of the Murray Main Street Program said she is glad they pushed that campaign forward.

“It made a big splash with social media,” she said. “The businesses in downtown will take a few months to get back to where they were. I can’t say they are completely back.”

Kilby said she didn’t usually go on that side of town because she is driving toward the University, but that downtown should be more interesting for college students.

“There’s a need for revitalization of the downtown area,” she said.

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Mari-Alice Jasper || Staff writer

fore The News posted screenshots of “Yak” posts on Facebook. The post about target shooting in front of the library hit Riley the hardest, but she said she thought they all were absolutely disgusting.

“It’s awful to know that people I go to school with have the nerve to say that, but not really any nerve all because it’s completely anonymous,” she said.

Because of that anonymity, Riley knows the University can do little about the posts, and it’s possible not all the comments came from students. But Riley said she is glad the posts are getting attention because change can happen only if people know the issues.

“Being silent is not the answer to anything; that’s why we had the protest,” she said.

Riley said she wanted the people that posted the comments to know they haven’t dampened the cause for justice. She said it doesn’t matter if the posts were supposed to be funny or not because they were rooted in racism.

Dana Howard, social media marketing manager of University Communications, said the relatively new app Yik Yak is simply not monitored.

She said her office keeps up with Facebook and Twitter and other trafficked sites, but she did not realize Yik Yak was popular on Murray State’s campus.

“There’s more and more anonymous apps that are coming out,” Howard said. “We’re constantly keeping up with what the next thing is.”

Last year Howard dealt with a similar situation when the Twitter accounts @MSUAsians and @ MSUBlackPeople gained notoriety for offensive tweets. Because the Twitter handles used “MSU,” University officials had the accounts shut down for copyright

Graphic by Mary Bradley

Anonymous posts related to Thursday’s on-campus protest of events in Ferguson, Mo., are on Yik Yak. infringement. Yik Yak, though, does not use accounts or require users to sign up with personal information to track comments.

Howard said the more threatening posts have been reported to Public Safety and Emergency Management, including, “yo if someone threw a sticky grenade in the middle of them, we could do away with half of the blacks.”

Howard said threats on campus through social media are rare, and she thinks it’s just “keyboard courage” spurring these people to make the comments.

In an email to The News, Jay Morgan, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, said he forwarded the screenshots of the Yik Yak posts to the University attorney, director of Equal Opportunity and the University Chief of Police for investigation.

A Yik Yak spokesman didn’t comment on the specific posts about the protest but said the company can shut out – but not trace – abusive commenter.

“The app monitors conversations and posts, and any negative or harmful behavior can result in the respective user being blocked, or altogether banned from future use,” the spokesman said. “In addition, the app relies on community self-policing to ensure that users are posting in positive ways.”

The community self-policing al-

THENEWS.ORG

lows Yik Yak users to vote down comments. When a “Yak” receives five down votes, it is removed.

Devan Reed, junior from Mayfield, Ky., said he is disappointed that the anonymity of the app doesn’t allow for finding out the identity of the users. He said he is not entirely surprised about the comments, but he said he expected more from the community.

“I hope no one takes this lightly,” Reed said. “I hope no one takes this as a joke, because it’s not the least bit funny.”

Don Robertson, vice president of Student Affairs, said he hopes these posts can continue a dialogue about what happened both in Ferguson and at the protest outside Waterfield – and why. He hopes hurtful comments can give way to an educational moment.

“I don’t believe the views expressed are widespread,” Robertson said. “I think it’s just a few individuals.”

Clardy, the history professor, said Murray State has an opportunity to deal with the questions of hateful rhetoric and racial injustice. Clardy said he wants University leadership to use it as a learning moment about tolerance and respect.

“They’re talking about their fellow human beings,” Clardy said of the Yaks. “They’re talking about their fellow Racers.”

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News

September 5, 2014 News Editor: Rebecca Walter Assistant Editor: Mary Bradley Phone: 270-809-4468 Twitter: MurrayStateNews

POLICE BEAT Aug. 28

10:42 a.m. A caller reported a medical emergency at Hart Residential College. Officers and Murray Ambulance Services were notified and the patient was transported. A medical report was taken.

2:32 p.m A caller reported the smell of marijuana at Hart. Officers were notified and a report was taken.

Aug. 29 10:26 a.m. A caller reported finding drug paraphernalia at Old Richmond Residential College. Officers were notified and the incident was referred to the Housing Office for disciplinary action.

9:48 p.m. An officer was flagged down by a person reporting alcohol found on the ground. The alcohol was confiscated and disposed of

by Public Safety. An information report was taken.

Aug. 30 12:22 a.m. A caller reported a suspicious person at the White Residential College parking lot. Officers were notified and a report was taken.

12:47 a.m. Officers received an incident report in reference to a welfare check at Springer Residential College.

Aug. 31 2:54 a.m. A caller reported a medical emergency at Lee Clark Residential College.

Officers and Murray Ambulance Services were notified.

11:41 p.m. A person reported an alcohol complaint at White Residential College.

Officers were notified. No alcohol was present.

Sept. 1 2:55 a.m. A caller reported a person with alcohol at Springer. Officers were notified. The person was advised

of the Murray State alcohol policy and an information report was taken.

11:01 p.m. A person reported a medical emergency at Winslow Dining Hall. Officers, Murray Ambulance Services and Student Affairs were notified. The patient was transported and a report was taken.

Sept. 2 11:27 a.m. Parking enforcement reported a vehicle with headlights left on at the Main Street parking lot. The owner was notified and an information report was taken.

9:50 p.m. A person at James H. Richmond Residential College requested EMS. Officers, Murray Ambulance Services and Student Affairs were notified. A report was taken and the person was transported.

Sept. 3 6:11 p.m. A caller reported an injured animal at Springer.

Officers and Fish and Wildlife were notified. An information report was taken 9:49 p.m. A caller reported a possible sexual assault at Hester Residential College.

Officers were notified. The incident happened off campus and was referred to the Mayfield Police Department.

Call of Fame Aug. 28, 2:18 p.m. - A caller reported that a person ran over a barricade at the roundabout. Officers were notified.

No damage was done to the barricade and an information report was taken.

Motorists assists – 2 Racer escorts – 4 Arrests – 0 Mary Bradley, Assistant News Editor, compiles Police Beat with materials provided

by Public Safety and Emergency Management. Not all dispatched calls are listed.

3A

T-Room sees record crowds High number of students visit newly renovated Thoroughbred Room causing delays, long waits Mari-Alice Jasper || Staff writer mjasper1@murraystate.edu

During Summer Break, Dunker’s Deli relocated to the Thoroughbred Room, Market ‘22 appeared in its former place.

Paula Amols, director of Dining Services and Racer Hospitality, said Dining Services did not want to do away with something that was working, but healthier food options available on campus are in high demand.

Market ‘22, which features fresh sushi, salads, sandwiches, fruits and vegetables, offers for grab-and-go dining. Many of the healthy snacks and treats served are unique to Market ‘22.

Amols said the name of the new dining facility is homage to the establishment of the University in 1922.

Katherine Hollar, junior from Mt. Vernon, Ind., said she didn’t think Dunker’s shift into the T-Room was a good idea.

“The wait for food is getting longer and longer. I’ve had to wait up to 45 minutes,” she said.

Hollar used to work in the T-Room and said she has never seen it as busy as it has been this semester.

Amols said that service in the T-Room suffers due to staff problems. She said oftentimes students will start working on campus but then a few weeks into the semester realize they can’t work due to their course load.

“We have sufficient scheduling, but unreliable workers,” she said.

Hollar said during her time working at the T-Room it was a rarity that anyone would call in and even if they did, someone was always called in to cover the open shift.

“Everyone worked hard and did their best at their jobs,” she said. “It was overwhelming when big groups of people came in together, but everyone did what they needed to do to get the work done.”

The decision to combine the T-Room and Dunker’s Deli was for the convenience of the students, Amols said.

Now to place an order at the deli, students are required to fill out an order form and turn it in to a worker.

“This method saves time and cuts down on labor,” Amols said.

Danice Leach, senior from Louisville, Ky., said the flow in the T-Room is horrible and that the line for the deli blocks the main entrance and the beverage counter.

“There’s also never been enough seat-

Hannah Fowl/The News

Students wait in long lines to get food and checkout during the T-Room’s peak lunch hours. ing and The Stables should be opened,” Leach said.

Seating in the T-Room usually fills up quickly, but The Stables is now open for overflow.

During the first week of classes, The Stables was reserved by Public Safety and Emergency Management to issue parking permits.

The stairs to The Stables are located in the T-Room and there will be signs posted, Amols said.

“We like to think we did our best to please everyone,” Amols said. “It’s definitely busier!”

She said business sales for the T-Room are exceeding the sales from last year.

Erica Fort, senior from Terre Haute, Ind., said her experience in the T-Room has been incredibly crowded.

“The main line goes all the way to the ice cream cones,” she said. “They should have put Market ‘22 in the Thoroughbred Room and left Dunker’s Deli where it was.”

Fort said at peak hours she has had to

wait up to 30 minutes for her order.

“Having to wait 30-40 minutes for simple orders is way too long,” said Steven Newcomb, senior from Murray.

As a short order cook from The Hungry Bear, a local restaurant, Newcomb said he empathizes with the workers.

Kelly Kennedy, manager of the T-Room, attributed long wait times to normal first of the year problems.

“The student workers do not have an opportunity for advanced training,” she said. “Their first day on the job is also their first day of classes.”

Kennedy said she is confident the service in the T-Room is rapidly improving as the year progresses.

“We’ve got a lot of the kinks worked out,” Kennedy said. “The wait time at Dunker’s Deli is at seven minutes. 75 percent of our workers are from the student body.”

She said Dining Services is shortstaffed, but they are hiring more student workers to help.

Falling fins fixed on Price Doyle Fine Arts Complex Brittany Risko

Contributing writer brisko@murraystate.edu

Untouched for nearly 40 years, the Price Doyle Fine Arts Building was renovated after pieces of the white, exterior fins of the building began to detach.

In an earlier email to The Murray State News, Kim Oatman, chief facilities officer of Facilities Management, said, “Although the fins are just for decoration and does not affect the structure of the building, construction had to be done to keep the fins from further falling off.”

When the University first discovered the fins were falling, straps were added to keep them in place.

Safety precaution barricades were also erected around the building.

“The straps were only a temporary fix,” Oatman said. “The permanent fix was done with half inch thick stainless plates, 12 inches tall,

which were molded to the contour of the fins. They were then bolted into place with four, half inch thick, anchors each.”

The exact cost for the fix are unknown at this point. The projected end date for the construction was Aug. 27.

He said construction has lasted a little longer than expected.

Some students claim that the noise from the construction is a distraction and that it causes them to lose concentration.

Madison Jarrett, sophomore from Paducah, Ky., said there is a lot of beeping during classes and the noises are worse for the classrooms that are right beside the construction.

He said sometimes professors have to stop talking to let the beeping and hammering noises stop so the students are able to hear what the professor is saying.

Even though the construction is a

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distraction, other students argue it is just in the way.

“Sometimes the workers would have different parts of the building blocked off, and (students) would have to walk around the building to get to the practice rooms,” said Lane Northcutt, junior from Frankfort, Ky. Carly Dothsuk, freshman from Cadiz, Ky., said the shortcut she normally takes between the new and Old Fine Arts building to get from The Quad to the main walkway was blocked off during the construction.

Although it is not much farther of a walk, the pathway provides precious minutes when late for a class.

However, with the construction near finished, University members Now that a permanent solution has been made, the fences are down and professors and students will not have to worry about any more construction interruptions.

Jenny Rohl/The News

A construction worker at the Price Doyle Fine Arts Complex fixes the exterior fins that were finished this week.

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September 5, 2014

The News

Opinion

Opinion Editor: Carly Besser Phone: 270-809-5873

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Our View

College readiness dampens success The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board.

The News 2609 University Station Murray State University Murray, Kentucky 42071-3301 murraystatenews@icloud.com Fax: 270-809-3175

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Editor-in-Chief • 270-809-6877 cgross2@murraystate.edu Rebecca Walter News Editor • 270-809-4468 rwalter@murraystate.edu Katie Wilborn/The News

Carly Besser Opinion Editor • 270-809-5873 cbesser@murraystate.edu

Students who fail to meet the standard admission criteria for Murray State are the main focus of the College Readiness program, which makes college available for those who otherwise would not meet the requirements.

With College Readiness, those who score below the American College Testing benchmark in reading, math and English can gain conditional admittance to Murray State, take remedial classes to make up for low scores and begin their college careers.

To gain traditional admission to Murray State, students must score an 18 on the ACT and have either a 3.0 GPA or rank in the top half of their high school class.

However, under College Readiness, students can still gain admittance with ACT subscores between 11 and 36.

While the program is effective for students who are below the

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lower than that of Morehead State, which has an 89 percent acceptance rate and of Western Kentucky at 92.3 percent. The six-year graduation rate of Murray State is at 54.2 percent, which also beats the likes of Western Kentucky (50 percent) and Morehead State (45 percent).

For now, we are statistically competitive with neighboring universities in the state, but there is a chance that the College Readiness program will hurt these numbers.

Retention rates will lower after more freshmen withdraw after an unexpectedly difficult first semester and, in turn, graduation rates will also fall.

The program allows students below the benchmark to enroll at Murray State, but it does little to ensure their long term academic success.

The University’s acceptance rate proves that the admission require-

ments are not too out of reach for most. According to the ACT’s official website, the national average ACT score lies between a 20 and a 21, which is above the requirement.

Taking in students who did not excel in high school makes the University function more as a cutthroat business and not an institution that promotes quality education. Students are paying for a service and Murray State should offer the best service available.

College Readiness is an effective program for those who struggle in one subject, but excel in other areas.

However, it also attracts students who should wait before enrolling in a college curriculum.

In turn, these students may be forced to withdraw and face looming debt after enrolling under the false promises that they were ready to pursue and also succeed in higher education.

The Captain’s Log

Fumi Nakamura Photography Editor • 270-809-5878 fnakamura1@murraystate.edu Joe Hedges Adviser • 270-809-3937 jhedges@murraystate.edu

benchmark for one subject, 5 percent of freshmen are in the College Readiness program for all three subjects.

It seems like the program means well by offering an avenue for students who have trouble getting into college, but College Readiness can also hurt students who are not ready.

College Readiness encourages students who fell below the benchmark in more than one subject to attend Murray State when they need to be more academically prepared. Students who score as low as an 11 on a section of the ACT will likely not be successful in college-level courses.

Situations like this make us wonder whether the University cares about the educational success of these students or if they just want their tuition money.

Murray State’s acceptance rate is at 82 percent, which is slightly

Life can end in 10 seconds or less

I saw a video of a car crash on YouTube when I was in middle school. I’ll never forget it. It was a ten-second video of an SUV driving down an icy freeway. The driver lost control after hitting a patch of ice and slid in the opposing lane, colliding headfirst with a semi-truck and Zac Garrison subsequently fadSenior from ing into the snowy Franklin, Ky. backdrop.

Then the video was over. Ten seconds was all it took. This driver had no idea that in a split second his life was going to end.

If you think about it, sometimes the only thing that keeps us out of a coffin is the flick of a wrist;.

A sudden glance could mean life or death. I think about this a little too much.

I was one of those kids who got too deep into the Internet at too young of an age which led to me developing an odd relationship with mortality. It makes me realize how precious life is.

I still think back to that day in middle school watching that video. After it happened I immediately jumped out of the window and sat in my freshman year computer class feeling numb.

That could be me. That could have been my mother. That could have been the lady in the

bank drive-thru that always had a smile on her face and a jar of Dum Dum Pops on her desk (only for well-behaved children, though). In a split second they could leave us, just like the driver in this grim YouTube video.

I took a life lesson from this day and think it’s one I can share with you all.

I try to make every conversation count.

When I hug someone, I hold on for a few extra seconds to make up for the hugs that I may not get in the future.

When I laugh with a friend, I laugh a little longer and a little harder than most to compensate for laughs I may miss out on.

The worst feeling ever would be losing a friend or family member and my last memory with them being lackluster and forgettable, so my goodbyes are little more sincere and my hellos are a little more welcoming.

I’ve been emotionally spoiled my whole life. I’ve been blessed with healthy family and friends, along with a little luck along the way.

I don’t really know how to grieve because I’ve never actually had to. This almost makes me feel guilty sometimes.

Some of the sweetest people I know have been toughened by heartbreak over the years from loss of family members.

Honestly, I want to say I have been able to help but I can never come close to their feeling of losing a loved one.

Every time my phone rings, I get a small feeling of dread. It’s usually my mom asking when I’m going to pay off the Visa bill or Papa John’s telling me that they can’t do a quadruple cheese pizza on a three-topping meal deal, but there is always the potential it could be bad news.

That’s the phone call I never want to receive, but too many people I have known have gotten

that call.

In the blink of an eye, my world could be shattered after fumbling to unlock my iPhone and offering up a hurried hello while driving.

I have massive amounts of respect for people who are able to stay strong after experiencing that kind of loss.

I’m not entirely sure I would be able to hold myself together. It’s easy for me to say that I would be OK and I would be able to keep myself together, but then I would be contending in a fight when I’m not even in the ring.

If your friend really wants to watch a movie you’ve seen already, it won’t hurt to see it a second time. If someone wants to go to a restaurant you don’t particularly prefer, go and try something new on the menu.

If they come up with a potentially dangerous plan that would simultaneously be super awesome and talked about 10 years from now, make sure someone runs back home to grab some extra bail money.

Experiences turn into memories, and one day memories are all we’re going to have. Like ink on parchment, they may fade but you will still be able read what is written.

Those words will mean the world to you and you’ll be glad they are there for you to read and remember forever.

Once you realize how quickly life can be taken, these experiences become precious like rubies and coveted like diamonds.

It’s better to look back over all those accumulated extra seconds of hugs or those few extra moments of laughter than missing out on them.

Pull people closer. Kiss them longer. Hug them much tighter.

They might not be here tomorrow.

The News

Opinion

September 5, 2014

5A

Letter to the Editor I would first like to thank you for the recent coverage of last week’s demonstration in support of the protests happening in Ferguson, Mo. Although it seems unlikely, if anyone isn’t familiar with the events happening in Ferguson, I suggest you read up.

While the protest was met with some support by students, faculty and administration, it also sparked controversy, which is to be expected. What was unexpected, however, was the backlash found on the social media app Yik Yak. Yik Yak is an app that allows its users to post, like, dislike and comment anonymously and without connection to a specific username or account. The app only shows posts from the area where it is being used.

So if the app is opened in Murray, it is safe to assume that all the posts, comments, etc., are made by Murray State students.

After the demonstration, I checked the app and was appalled by what I read. Yik Yak’s feed was inundated with posts filled with racial slurs and stereotypes aimed at black students. I did not find any

kind of remotely intelligent civil discourse that could bring about actual understanding and change.

The posts I found had little to do with what we were protesting or the events in Ferguson. Yik Yak users simply used the protest as an opportunity to perpetuate stereotypes and spew the kind of racial hate speech that we often like to pretend no longer exists.

What’s arguably worse is that when I then checked Twitter and Facebook, there wasn’t anything resembling the bigotry that I found on Yik Yak. The posts on Yik Yak were not made by students legitimately concerned about race issues on campus, but instead made by students who wanted to feel like “part of the action” without taking real ownerships of their opinions. The students who post on Yik Yak are hiding behind the app’s anonymity.

Our generation already struggles with face to face communication.

We prefer to communicate behind the safety of our smartphones or tablets, and apps like Yik Yak just make things worse. Murray State

Did she really say that?

students need to take responsibility for what they say. Own your opinions and stand firmly behind your viewpoints. If you still feel the need to remain anonymous, then consider re-evaluating what you have to say.

Voicing different beliefs is a necessary catalyst for change, but there is no value in anonymously and cowardly spreading hate. Call us protesters what you will, but one thing’s for sure; we have a hell of a lot more courage than anyone posting on Yik Yak.

Alix Bloodworth Senior from Murray

ITV classrooms becoming a nuisance

We still want to hear from you.

Are you concerned about a certain issue on campus or just want to share your opinion? The News is always accepting Letters to the Editor. For a chance to get your letter published in print or on TheNews. org, email your submission to letters@thenews.org.

I’ve got a story for you

To meet or not to meet: still a question

In our last installment in this space, we outlined the greatest fear of civilized students everywhere: meetings.

As a rule, people deplore meetings unless it is the only chance you have to sit next to that hunky guy from English class who, according to your roommate’s text, might have Robert Valentine told her boyfriend that he sort of Senior lecturer thought you were, of Advertising y’know, like cute or whatever.

Otherwise, people consider meetings to be a waste of time, a painful social obligation and a source of constant irritation and alienation. Good points, all.

But some meetings can make all the difference in the world. The Constitutional Convention certainly had a generally positive impact, despite the fact that Supreme Courts and presidents seem always keen to make minor adjustments, even after reading part of the bill.

A wedding is a form of meeting, and is almost always a joyous affair for the attendees, even without an open bar. Likewise, classes are meetings

where we can see our friends, practice making up creative excuses and catch up on lost sleep.

Still, from Residential College Council meetings to chapter meetings, from Student Government Association seminars about sexually transmitted diseases to attempts to start a new chapter of the Student Society for the Prevention of Cats, meetings can be useful, relatively painless and profitable for all — even enjoyable.

Here are the rules for successful meetings: 1. Provide an agenda. If you’re calling the meeting, think about what’s supposed to happen. Let everyone know, so they can be prepared to comment AFTER having thought about it.

“

Cheers and Jeers Cheers & Jeers is written by the Opinion Editor.

Questions, comments or concerns should be addressed to cbesser@murraystate.edu

Comics

Meetings can be useful, relatively painless and profitable for all – even enjoyable.

”

- Robert Valentine, senior lecturer of advertising If you don’t know what’s going to happen at the meeting, why are you calling it? If you are “called,” feel free to ask for an agenda. If there isn’t one, fake an illness.

2. Set a time limit. Anything that can’t be accomplished in 45 minutes needs to be referred to a new meeting. If you start on time and end on time, people will stop avoiding your overly long, pointless meetings. Anyone can “do time,” as the felons say, if they know when they will be released. It gives

Cheers to ... The rain We hope the rainy weather will take down the scorching temperatures and jump-start much anticipated fall weather.

We miss wearing our hoodies and jeans at football tailgates. Keep it coming.

Jeers to ...The reaction of the Yik Yak comments When we posted the racist Yik Yak commentary on our Facebook page, students were angry with us. You should be offended that these comments exist, not that we’re showing them to you.

hope to the hopeless.

3. No texting. I know: you’re expecting a vital, emergency message, even though there has never been a vital, emergency text in your lifetime.

While you’re checking, however, you feel compelled to respond to Rachel’s question about who’s driving to the mixer this Friday. In the meantime, you’re a huge distraction to the adults sitting near you. They want to text, too, but they are not as rude as you. Grow up.

4. Focus on what’s happening! If you’re in the meeting you could be affected by what happens.

Pay attention! (This seldom applies to faculty meetings unless committees are being formed.)

5. Chairpersons: don’t be afraid to say, “That’s out of order,” or to use the more prosaic expression: “Nobody cares about that; it’s irrelevant and stupid. Go text someone.” Somebody has to take charge, and you’ve got the wooden hammer.

6. Remember Robert’s Rules of Order: a Motion to Adjourn is always in order.

We are tribal beings, us humans. So, we have to get together sometimes to share information, to establish group understanding or to find out who is going to contribute in which way. There’s no way around it and, like classes, sometimes the outcome can be rewarding.

So, there will be meetings. There will also be wars, famine, pestilence and Congress, but we can’t control those things. We can control meetings. Let’s do that, shall we?

I move to adjourn.

Editor’s note: This column was part two in a two-part series.

Jeers to ... Racist Yik Yak comments The day students orchestrated a peaceful protest on campus regarding the death of Michael Brown, anonymous students went to Yik Yak and made derogatory, racist comments about the protesters.

Keep your bigotry to yourself.

Cheers to ... Sororities and fraternities who play music on campus You don’t have to rush to get in on the fun and music after a tough day of classes. Thanks for keeping our spirits high.

We truly appreciate it.

For whatever reason, I didn’t get to experience the pure joy of taking an interactive television class until my senior year.

If you’re not familiar with ITV courses, you probably Carly Besser won’t sense Opinion Editor my seething sarcasm.

These classes were created because of Murray State’s fascination with the “non-traditional.” Classes are broadcasted to the other Murray State satellite campuses in Hopkinsville, Paducah, Madisonville and Henderson. While the class is in session, students from the other these campuses can interact with the professor via microphone and a camera that shows the other regional classrooms.

While the concept sounds innovative and refreshing, attending an ITV class has been the bane of my entire semester.

The technology is still unstable, which means half the class is spent trying to get the cameras to turn on or the microphones to pick up sound.

The professors are constantly frustrated from the complicated procedures, and students at the regional campuses are ultimately losing out.

They’re paying tuition for a class where most time is wasted.

Murray State main campus students aren’t at any more of an advantage because they too spend most of the class time watching the technicians and professors scratch their heads in confusion.

I don’t want to sound like I’m completely against the concept of ITV classes. If done correctly, they’re helpful to regional Murray State students who don’t have access to lectures only offered at the main campus.

They also could serve as a stepping stone to more technological innovation for the University, which would attract more students in faraway areas and increase revenue.

However, after taking in two ITV classes at face value, I’m still not convinced that we’re ready for them. It’s a learning experience for everyone.

Professors have to learn to use the technology correctly, students have to remember to hold down their microphone buttons when they answer questions and regional students have to sit back and watch us make sense of the chaos.

Whenever I passed an ITV classroom in the hallway, I was incredibly envious of whoever got to have a lecture in one.

I loved the long rows of new desks, with a microphone at every seat, sit in front of two large flat-screen televisions and large desk in between.

It looked impressive in comparison to the other classes I was used to attending, with dirty white boards and aging desks.

Now that I’m in two ITV classes, the tables have turned on me. I miss having my old classes.

There were no interruptions that lasted more than 30 minutes and there’s no way for a chalkboard to crash or mute.

I’m glad that Murray State is taking the initiative to advance technology in the classroom, and one day I’ll be proud that my alma mater is ahead of most universities in that aspect.

However, to fully harness the potential of ITV classrooms and satellite campuses, we really need to take more time to understand it so students aren’t losing out on the education on which they’re paying for. cbesser@murraystate.edu

Dunker’s Booth

By Katie Wilborn

The News

News

6A

September 5, 2014

Remodeled floor offers quiet study space Amanda Grau || Staff writer agrau1@murraystate.edu

The third floor of Waterfield Library has opened up in more ways than one.

The newly renovated quiet floor opened to students Aug. 27 at 6 p.m.

With old books catalogued online, bookshelves no longer crowd the floor’s space. The new floor plan is more open.

The $211,358 project brought new carpet, paint, and additional study spaces. New pin-wheel-like seating creates desks for four students to share per unit, and new study rooms create spots for one to two students to buckle down.

Planning for the renovation began two years ago. Adam Murray, dean of University Libraries, said the project was a team effort.

“We’ve put a lot of work into making this transformation happen,” Murray said. “The complete lack of study rooms in Waterfield was the primary factor that initiated planning for the project.”

Originally budgeted at between $225,000 and $250,000, the floor’s renovation fell below budget at its completion two weeks ago. Murray said some cuts had to be made to the designs in order to fit the budget.

Sarah Williamson, freshman from Tuscaloosa, Ala., attended the opening ceremony along with President Bob Davies and several other Regents.

Williamson said she is a fan of the new design.

“It’s really open and nice,” Williamson said.

“They have some good study spots up here. I really like that it’s silent. I’ve been needing that.”

Erin Passmore, library assistant, said she is excited for students to get to utilize the new study rooms most of all, as well as the new charging stations.

“They’re really great if you need to get away and not be distracted,” Passmore said. “Lamps are going to be added, and you can have you and a friend in there with you if you want.”

The study rooms are equipped with a desk, two chairs and outlets. Each room is available for checkout in 4-hour time frames for quiet or silent study.

Since there has been an increase in the num-

Kylie Townsend/The News

Students utilize resources found on the renovated third floor of Waterfield Library. The project consisted of new carpet, paint and additional study spaces. ber of students utilizing Waterfield, new seating and new spaces for charging laptops and phones were needed.

For the first time, Waterfield welcomed 4,000 students in just one day last semester.

“Finals time is always crazy,” Murray said.

“Seating is at a premium. We’d have students sitting on the floor trying to study and plugging in their laptops. We wanted to utilize that space as much as possible.”

In order to free up floor space, librarians had to catalogue old books, making sure they were on the online database before getting rid of the hard copies.

The books still left on the third floor are bound periodicals, journals and rare books.

“I hope that students enjoy the transformed

floor as much as we have enjoyed seeing it transition,” Murray said. “I fully anticipate that the study rooms will become highly sought-after services provided by the University Libraries, so much so that we will need to plan for further study rooms.”

A battle continues within Waterfield, a building built in the 1950s, with an electrical system that has not been updated since 1978.

The old electrical system limits the number of desktop computers Waterfield can hold.

With record-breaking visitor numbers, the scarcity of computers has become a frequent dilemma.

Even with the implementation of a new network, last year brought new problems: a flooded network that could not handle more laptops, and

concerns over the structure itself withstanding the growing traffic.

After the Board of Regents rejected a proposal from former President Randy Dunn for a new library, a new proposal was submitted for a Waterfield annex.

The new structure would be attached to Waterfield, possibly taking the place of Woods Hall.

Renovations planned for the building also include a new heating and air system, new handicap accessible bathrooms – the current ones are on the third floor – and a new electrical system.

Projections for the cost of future renovations are $2-3 million, and an additional $19 million for the annex.

Murray said all the libraries still need work, but they are heading in the right direction.

Nursing school celebrates 50 years of program success Amanda Grau || Staff writer agrau1@murraystate.edu

This year marks the 50-year anniversary of Murray State’s baccalaureate in nursing education.

The University set itself apart when its nursing school chose to forego an associate degree track in favor of the more intensive baccalaureate program, making it the only four-year university to do so in the region.

Ruth E. Cole, founder of the program, went door to door speaking with families in the past, advocating the up-and-coming Murray State nursing program.

“Dr. Cole is still able to reminisce about the beginnings of the program and how she literally visited homes in the region en-

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couraging families to send their children to a four-year nursing program,” said Marcia Hobbs, dean of the School of Nursing.

The first baccalaureate class began in the fall of 1964. Prior to the program, nursing students only studied for a year at Murray State before studying at Jennie Stuart Hospital in Hopkinsville, Ky. or Owensboro, Ky. Today, the nursing program continues to grow.

It will soon be the first program at Murray State to have a doctoral degree – a doctorate of nursing practice.

Barbara Kearney, associate professor in the School of Nursing, said the doctorate has been the nursing program’s focus for the time being.

“We just started the doctorate of nursing practice program, so I’m not sure where we will be headed after that,” Kearney said.

“We’re confined to that for the moment—it’s a needs assessment issue.”

Shelby Hall, senior nursing student from Louisville, Ky., said she likes the direction the nursing program is headed and the attention the professors pay to keeping learning up-to-date within the tight-knit program.

“Our class sizes are very small, so we get one-on-one attention that way,” Hall said. “It’s also nice that you stay with your classmates for most of your classes, and it makes the program feel like one big nursing family.”

Hall said nursing professors keep the program fresh by bringing in techniques from other universities to improve teaching strategies.

“I like that the teachers keep learning a lot,” Hall said. “I have a teacher who is taking doctoral classes now, and she told us she’s going to use things she’s learned from those classes to flip ours and teach us in a new way.”

The program may not have any other new degrees in the near future, but Hobbs has high hopes for the infrastructure of the program itself, and a move toward more research.

“I see the School of Nursing evolving into a unit that will always value the foundation of the school,” Hobbs said. “With the advent of the doctorate, the school will increase its visibility with research, results of practice-oriented capstone projects and faculty involvement at the national and international level.”

Despite its growth and change, the focus of the nursing program remains the same: improving medical support.

Kylie Townsend/The News

A student walks past Mason Hall, where nursing students take a majority of their classes.

“The influence of improving the health in the region through the educating of baccalaureate nurses and graduate-prepared nurses will always be the priority of the School of Nursing,” Hobbs said.

A Showcase of Decades, the anniversary celebration, will be held Oct. 10 and is open to all nursing graduates and their families. Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to register on the Murray State Alumni website.

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September 5, 2014

Section B

The News

Sports

Sports Editor: Mallory Tucker Phone: 809-4481 Twitter: MSUSportsNews ­­

HATCHER TALKS LOUISVILLE: Maturity, size, experience concerns for Racers Mallory Tucker || Sports Editor mtucker11@murraystate.edu

Lexy Gross || Editor-in-Chief cgross2@murraystate.edu

Fumi Nakamura/The News

Sophomore Marcus Holliday carries the ball in the season opener against Union College, where Murray State won 73-26.

85 63 1984 21-9

the number of scholarship players on Louisville’s team

the number of scholarship players for Murray State

the last year Murray State beat the University of Louisville in football

the score of the 2011 Louisville vs. Murray State game at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium

After a big win against Union College August 28, the Racers have been in high spirits as they prepare to hit the road and play the University of Louisville Saturday, according to Head Coach Chris Hatcher.

His biggest concern looking forward is that of his young team’s maturity.

“Probably the biggest disappointing thing was a lot of our young players had the big eyes in the game and didn’t play particularly well,” Hatcher said. “Some of them got better as the game went.

So that, again, that’s a big cause for concern because we’re headed into a bigger venue this week.

“Like I told the guys last Friday, hey, you’re going to have to mature in a hurry because we’re counting on you guys to give us quality reps during the course of a ball game.”

A young Racer depth chart differs greatly from Louisville’s seasoned veterans.

Even quarterback C.J. Bennett, a fifth-year senior, has not seen much field time, according to Hatcher.

“Everybody says: ‘Ah, well he’s got a lot of experience,’” Hatcher said. “He hasn’t played much football in the college game, so I think he was a little nervous early on, but he made some nice checks, threw a couple good deep balls.”

Hatcher called Bennett a gritty player, saying he expects the quarterback to keep improving.

“I’m excited to see him grow and develop as the season progresses,” he said.

A 31-13 win over The University of Miami on Monday leaves the Cardinals with the same record as the Racers, though Louisville’s season opener was a conference game and Murray State’s first win came from an NAIA opponent.

Hatcher says he is confident that his young players will be better this week than last, despite the huge jump from FCS to FBS play.

He does not doubt the Cardinals will show just as well this week as they did during their opening game.

“I make the call right now that they will have a chance to play for the ACC title,” Hatcher said.

“They’re either the best team or second-best team in the ACC if they stay healthy.”

Hatcher said the Racers have their work cut out for them.

The team has to go to Lousiville and be a better football team than it was against Union College, Hatcher said.

Louisville has 85 players on scholarship as opposed to the Racers’ 63, and Hatcher accounts

see LOUISVILLE, 2B

Soccer splits weekend: wins at home, loses on road Peter Northcutt || Staff writer pnorthcutt@murraystate.edu

Haley Hays/The News

Freshman Harriet Withers stands in the goal at practice Thursday morning.

WHAT’S

INSIDE

The Murray State women’s soccer team split two games this weekend with a win at home Friday against Georgia State and a loss on the road at Dayton.

The Racers received their first victory of the season Friday as they took down Georgia State 2-1 at Cutchin Field. Head Coach Jeremy Groves was pleased with his team’s effort in the win.

“I thought we played pretty well,” Groves said. “They’re a better team than what we’ve seen previously. Our game plan changed; it wasn’t as run and gun, it was more tactical like a chess game. The girls played well and they fought back which shows their toughness.”

The Racers’ odds looked bleak early in the match as Georgia State scored only four minutes into the game.

The goal came on the third consecutive corner kick by Margaret Bruemmer as she bent it around the near side post before it bounced off the far post and in.

The Racers regained their composure and controlled the pace for a good part of the first half. Going into the break, the score remained at 1-0.

In the 65th minute of the second half, freshman Harriet Withers scored the Racers’ first goal of the

afternoon and the first collegiate goal of her career off a rebounded shot by senior Julie Mooney.

Withers would go on to score the go ahead goal only four minutes later off her own missed shot.

“Honestly, it was overwhelming,” Withers said, referring to her first collegiate goal. “It didn’t hit me until the end of the game, really, but it was the best feeling ever. It was definitely one to remember.”

Groves has been pleasantly surprised by Withers’ impact on the team despite some early setbacks.

“She came in and got injured in preseason so that put her a bit behind,” Groves said. “She really didn’t play that much in the first scrimmage game. But I think everyone can see she’s got some pretty good athleticism.”

Unfortunately for the Racers, Withers and company could not muster up enough effort to rally against Dayton on Sunday as they lost 5-1 at Baujan Field.

The game started evenly as both teams struggled to find a shot on goal as there was only one within the first 20 minutes of play.

However, in the 24th minute, Dayton’s Erin O’Malley headed in a goal off a corner kick to score the first goal of the game for the Flyers.

Dayton kept the pressure on before half by scoring two more goals to increase its lead to three going into the break.

The Racers showed some life early in the second half as Mooney got Murray State on the board off a shot from the top of the box to the far post, closing the gap to 3-1.

This was as close as Murray State would get, however, as Chelsea Rose and Meghan Blank added two more for the Flyers to seal the 5-1 victory for Dayton.

“It was disappointing,” Withers said. “We went in with high expectations that we were going to do well, at least come out with a draw but I guess things happened and they got a few lucky chances off set pieces.

“We thought we played pretty well as a team; our defense once again did well. Our strikers did well, our midfielders especially did well given the formation that we’re playing so I think even though the score wasn’t the best our game was all around pretty good.”

The Racers now must move past their recent loss and look toward their looming opponents.

This weekend, Murray State travels south to take on Florida Gulf Coast and Florida International.

This stretch could be tough for the Racers as FIU just came off a 1-0 loss to Santa Clara, the No. 15 team in the country, and Florida Gulf Coast boasts an early season victory over perennial powerhouse Arizona.

“It’s going to be a very tough trip,” Groves said. “I’m looking for a very strong test this weekend.”

VOLLEYBALL VETERANS RACER BASKETBALL

MAJOR DECISIONS

COMBAT COLDS

Team returns with last season’s Men’s basketball releases experience, 2B 2014-15 schedule, 3B

Freshman survey reveals most popular majors, 4B

Five tips to stay healthy this semester, 4B

The News

Sports

2B

September 5, 2014

Volleyball returns hopeful with seasoned players Logan Burnett || Contributing writer lburnett1@murraystate.edu

Kayla MacAllister || Chief Copy Editor kmacallister@murraystate.edu

Lori Allen/The News

Senior Taylor Olden spikes the ball in a home game last season. Olden will continue her Racer career this year.

LOUISVILLE From Page 1B this as a huge difference between the two teams.

The height and weight of the players differs dramatically between the rosters as well. These challenges are not unexpected ones.

“It’s going to be tough,” Hatcher said. “Those guys are good. I don’t think everybody understands how big a jump playing a team like that is. You look at number 94, their defensive end outside linebacker – I mean he’s bigger than everybody on our team.”

Age and physical size are just a few of the differences between the Racers and the Cardinals. According to Hatcher, the role of special teams will differ greatly against the Cardinals than it did against Union.

“Whenever you play up a level, that’s where a lot of times the glaring weaknesses are – when you play your special teams,” Hatcher said.

“We take great pride in ours, and you know we played down a level last week and you can see the big difference in the special teams. That changed the course of the game very quickly. So when you play a game like this you hope to neutralize that aspect because that can change the game in a hurry.”

Hatcher said he hopes Murray

State can make a few big plays.

But the perrogative of Saturday’s game isn’t to show off new offensive strategies, it’s to hold Louisville back as much as possible.

Murray State hasn’t beat the Cardinals since 1984.

When Murray State last played Louisville in 2011, the final score was 21-9, but Hatcher does not count on a similar encounter this year.

“You’re talking a whole different ball club now,” Hatcher said. “You’re talking: Louisville the first year with Charlie Strong, to after what he built – beat Florida in the Sugar Bowl – beat Miami last year in the bowl game. It’s two totally different teams.”

Louisville Head Coach Bobby Petrino returned to the Cardinals this year after a high-profile scandal and eventual dismissal from the University of Arkansas and a year as head coach at Western Kentucky.

Louisville’s defensive coordinator, Todd Grantham, was already thinking about Murray State after the Cardinals’ Monday night win last week, according to Louisville’s The Louisville Courier-Journal. “(Miami’s) in the past ... Right after the game, come the next morning, you have to get ready for another opponent,” Grantham told The Courier-Journal. “We’ll have our hands full.”

Hatcher is confident that the roster Strong built will hold, particularly against the Racers’ offensive line.

“In games like this, what gets you

Athletics receives $1.2 million gift from Foundation

is that you know, we’re one and a half deep at certain spots, two at the best at other spots. You play a front like Louisville, you know, they can rotate them every series and you just don’t see much difference. The guy’s still 320 pounds and can still run fast.”

Hatcher said Murray State has a big line, but that’s key in games against teams like Louisville.

He said the line is likely going to be the most difficult place to be.

Despite a step up in the level of play, Hatcher and his team haven’t deterred from their constant attitude of the season.

Racer Athletics will also see a paycheck from playing Louisville, likely nearing $500,000.

In 2012, the Racers received $450,000 to play Florida State University. Although the team lost 69-3, the department got to keep a muchneeded boost of funding lost by recent budget cuts.

Not only will this game be a moneymaker for the football program, it will be a learning experience and reference point like any other game.

Hatcher said he’s excited to see the Racers play in such a large venue as Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.

“I always joke about it,” Hatcher said. “I say: ‘Hey man, it’s fun all the way till toe meets leather, and then you get your paycheck and go home.’”

Hatcher said the coaching staff has been working since Friday to prepare for Louisville.

Staff Report Last week, the Murray State Athletic Foundation, more commonly known as the Racer Foundation, received a donation of the two remaining parcels of land in Hopkinsville, Ky., that the the Foundation has been managing for years.

The 13.1 acres on Fort Campbell Boulevard and 7.7 acres on Lovers Lane, combined with various other cash assets in the donation total approximately $1.2 million.

Walk-ins Welcome!

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The Murray State volleyball squad looks to be poised for success this 2014-15 season, said Head Coach David Schwepker.

Schwepker described last season as middling, and it’s easy for spectators to wonder what efforts have been made to improve upon last season’s results.

However, Schwepker said the team’s strength is in what has not changed – the roster.

The squad lost only one senior to graduation at the end of last year, and has seen the returning players grow in maturity as well as chemistry.

“You can’t just be athletic and be good at volleyball, you have to have the experience,” he said.

In comparison to last season, the team is calmer and more collected on the floor, which can be attributed to the growing chemistry between new players and returning ones alike, Schwepker said.

He cited a turning point in last season, mid-spring, when the players began an impressive run, and started to really perform as a unit.

The team has an experienced base in its large junior class. The success of the squad has grown along with the juniors’ presence on the court.

Schwepker is counting on his team’s overall experience to translate into wins this season, and wins at a higher level at that.

“I feel like we have a team that should compete for a conference title,” he said.

Schwepker commented on the squad’s ultimate goal, which is to enjoy

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success in the NCAA tournament.

“All eyes are on the squad,” he said.

“We almost have to expect success from the girls.”

No longer what could be considered a young team, the Racers look to improve on their 2013 season in big ways.

After boasting an impressive 9-5 away record, the squad’s largest hurdle to overcome is home games. The under .500 home record is troubling; success is expected to be easier to attain at home.

However, the squad hasn’t had an abundance of home court advantage; in fact, attendance to previous home games in Racer Arena has been low. A larger fan base is commonly seen as an advantage for the host team – an advantage Murray State supporters have not given to their volleyball team.

“We would love to get more people in here,” Schwepker said.

Three games into this season, the Racers are 3-0, only having lost one set to Alabama State away at the ISTAP Collegiate Cup. Despite that set, the Racers took the invitational title.

Winning its first invitational is undoubtedly a strong start for the squad, and hopefully the Racers can build on that success this weekend at the Liberty Invitational.

“We try to take these things one at a time; all we can do is work hard,” Schwepker said.

Regular season play starts Sept. 26 in Racer Arena against Southeast Missouri State.

According to Schwepker, attendance may be the decisive “X factor” the Racers need to improve upon their home record and vie for an OVC title.

Said Schwepker: “If we want success at home, we need people to fill the arena.”

Awards kick off season for Racers Staff Report Two Murray State volleyball players earned OVC honors this week after the team traveled to Montgomery, Ala., for the ISTAP Collegiate Cup. Ellie Lorenz, sophomore libero, was named OVC Defensive Player of the Week and Kristen Besselsen, right side hitter, was named OVC Offensive Player of the Week.

Both women arguably had their best games against host team Alabama State: Besselsen recorded a double-double that consisted of 14 kills and 15 digs, and Lorenz added 19 digs.

A redshirt sophomore, Besselsen was also named to the All-Tournament team.

In an interview with Racer Athletics, Head Coach Dave Schwepker spoke about his expectations for Besselsen.

“That’s how I expect her to play,” he said. “This is what we should see from her. That’s how she is in practice and that’s what I like to see.”

Haley Hays/The News

A Murray State football player takes a break on the sidelines during last week’s game against Union College.

His goal, as always, is to win.

“But you know, there’s another part of you – if you don’t – did you play hard?” he said. “Did you go out there and have a good time like we talk about every week? Did you know your assignments? Did we improve in

The Racer Foundation has directed the MSU Foundation to aggressively pursue the sale of the property so that the proceeds can be invested to assist the athletic program, according to GoRacers.com.

Facility enhancements and an increased focus on academic achievement are two of the areas within athletics that hope to benefit from the donation.

Through the years, the Foundations’ fundraising efforts have helped pay for the main scoreboard at the CFSB Center, pav-

the areas that we discussed after the Union game? To me, those are the important things when you play a team that’s higher than you.”

The Racers kick off at 7 p.m. eastern time Saturday at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Ky.

ing of the parking lots at CFSB, replacing the chairback seats at Roy Stewart Stadium, assisted with scholarship aid and procured the land that currently serves as home to Murray State’s Hopkinsville campus.

According to Racer Athletics, the Foundation gave 51 acres for the campus.

Said Athletic Director Allen Ward on GoRacers.com: “I am extremely grateful to the executive board of the Racer Foundation for continuing to impact the lives of our student athletes.”

The News

Sports

September 5, 2014

3B

Cross country starts season at Belmont Kelsey Randolph || Contributing writer krandolph3@murraystate.edu

Head Coach Jenny Severns has a positive outlook for the rest of the cross country season after the August 29 meet at the Belmont Opener.

“I think Belmont was a good start and a good meet for a lot of the newcomers,” Severns said, “there has been a big improvement in everyone and I believe it shows how the rest of the season will improve.”

The men’s and women’s cross country teams started their seasons at the Belmont Opener in Nashville, Tenn., with the women finishing eighth out of the 12 teams and men finishing sixth out of the 12 teams.

One of the top runners, Alicyn Hester, junior from Yorkeville, Ill., ran a minute faster than she was last year at this time. She said this is a self-improvement goal she’s been working on and she hopes everyone on the team can feel how good it is to meet that goal.

“On not just the women’s side but the men’s side too, all of our guys did really well,” Severns said, “I feel everyone will continue to improve throughout the semester.”

Individually, the women were led by Meagan Smith who finished 36th with a time of 19:02.70. She was followed by Alicyn Hester in 41st, Abbie Oliver in 56th and Emma Gilmore in 57th. Emani Griffin, Kati Heil and Emily Flaherty rounded out the team at 68th, 73rd and 74th, respectively.

The men were led by Gavin Galanes who finished 36th with a time of 16:07.52. He was closely followed

by Cole Cisneros at 43rd. Lucas Prather finished 56th, Mark Ventura 58th, Evan Staviski 59th, Neil Yockey 63rd, and Jarred Koerner at 64th place overall.

The biggest competition this season is Eastern Kentucky University for both men’s and women’s teams. Eastern Kentucky has one of the top 20 cross country teams in the nation and Severns says she’d like to see the teams at least place in the top six.

“The best thing about this team is they are all really good kids,” Severns said. “They support each other and are competitive in the best ways. They are willing to work hard and put forth the effort to meet their personal and team goals.”

Hester said everyone will hold their ground this semester. While coming in as a freshman or newcomer can be intimidating, she hopes they are inspired at each race to stay confident.

“There are a lot of people who did a lot more this summer to prepare than what they’ve done in the past and I think we’ll see a lot of progression and breakthroughs,” Severns said. “The good thing is

Jenny RohlThe News

The men’s cross country team takes a run early Thursday morning. every meet will give us something to celebrate. I can’t wait to see the people who worked so hard to get the performances they deserve.”

The Racers’ ultimate goal for this season is to bring home the OVC Championship.

The team will travel to the EIU Walt Crawford Open at Eastern Illinois today. On Sept. 19, the team will travel to compete in the Austin Peay Invita-

tional hosted by Austin Peay State. The Notre Dame Invitational Oct. 3-4 is their next competition. The regular season will end when the team competes at the Bradley Classic Oct. 16-17, which will be held at the Newman Golf Course in Peoria, Ill. The OVC Cross Country Championship will be on Nov 1 at Oxford Lake & Recreation Area hosted

by Jacksonville State.

2014-15 Men’s basketball schedule released Staff Report The 2014-15 Murray State men’s basketball schedule was released Tuesday. Fifteen games will be played at the CFSB Center, featuring opponents such as Houston, Western Kentucky and Illinois State.

“We’ve put together a challenging non-conference schedule that will prepare us for the rigors of league play,” said Head Coach Steve Prohm on GoRacers.com. “To go along with a great home schedule, we have road games that are in close proximity, so our great fan base will be able to support us.”

The Racers hit the home court Nov. 6 in an exhibition against Freed-Hardeman. They open the regular season at home on Nov. 14 against Houston.

This will be the first time since 1955 that the Racers have played the Cougars, and the first time Murray State has ever faced an American Athletic Conference team.

The Racers have a 24-straight home opener winning record since 1989, and are 16-0 in home openers in the CFSB Center.

Murray State’s first away game will take place at Middle Tennessee State University Nov. 18.

After a home game against Brescia on November 20, the team will travel to Cincinnati to play Xavier, another team they haven’t faced since 1955.

The Racers will also travel to Nashville to play in the Challenge in Music City Nov. 28-30, where they will face Valparaiso, Drake and Portland over a three-day span.

This will be the third straight season the Racers have played Valparaiso, but they haven’t faced Drake since 1938 and Portland since 1984.

“The opportunity to play in the Challenge in Music City is one that we’re pleased about,” Prohm said on GoRacers.com. “We really need our fans to come down to Nashville and make this a home court advantage for us.”

The tournament, held at Municipal Auditorium, will allow the Racers to play on the court where the OVC Tournament will be hosted in March.

The list of televised games will be available at a later date.

2014-15 SCHEDULE Freed-Hardeman

Alcorn State

Eastern Kentucky

11.06.14 | 7 p.m. | HOME

12.17.14 | 7 p.m. | HOME

01.29.15 | 7 p.m. | HOME

Houston

Illinois State

11.14.14 | 7 p.m. | HOME

UT Martin

12.20.14 | 7 p.m. | AWAY

01.31.15 | 7 p.m. | HOME

Middle Tennessee

Southern Illinois

11.18.14 | TBA | AWAY

12.22.14 | TBA | AWAY

Brescia

Alabama A&M

11.20.14 | 7 p.m. | HOME

12.30.14 | 7 p.m. | HOME

Xavier

Morehead State 01.03.15 | TBA | AWAY

11.24.14 | TBA | AWAY

Tennessee Tech

Portland 11.28.14 | 7:30 p.m. | AWAY

01.08.15 | TBA | AWAY

Valparaiso

Jacksonville State

11.29.14 | 7:30 p.m. | AWAY

01.10.15 | TBA | AWAY

Belmont

Drake 11.30.14 | 3:30 p.m. | AWAY

01.15.15 | 8 p.m. | HOME

02.05.15 | 7 p.m. | HOME

Austin Peay 02.07.15 | TBA | AWAY

SIU-Edwardsville 02.12.15 | 7 p.m. | HOME

Southeast Missouri 02.14.15 | TBA | AWAY

Austin Peay 02.21.15 | 7 p.m. | HOME

Eastern Illinois 02.26.15 | 7 p.m. | HOME

Bethel (TN)

Tennessee State

12.03.14 | 7 p.m. | HOME

01.17.15 | 7 p.m. | HOME

UT Martin 02.28.15 | TBA | AWAY

Western Kentucky

Eastern Illinois

12.06.14 | 7 p.m. | HOME

01.22.15 | 7 p.m. | AWAY

alth and e H

Evansville 12.13.14 | TBA | AWAY

SIU-Edwardsville

Thank you, NCAA Close your eyes for a minute and i m a g i n e you’re Cameron Payne.

You’re in high school at Lausanne Collegiate Lexy Gross School in Editor-in-Chief M e m p h i s , Tenn., and Murray State, Appalachian State, Arkansas Sate and two other schools are trying to recruit you to play collegiate basketball.

Men’s basketball Head Coach Steve Prohm gives you a call and offers you a position on the team.

You ask, “Well, are you going to give me extra compensation to play like the Sun Belt schools will?”

And Prohm sadly answers, “No, the OVC decided not to adopt the new NCAA legislation.”

So you don’t go on to help the Racers win the CollegeInsider. com Tournament and follow in the footsteps of Murray State’s famed Isaiah Canaan. Instead, you go to the school that will offer you a few thousand extra dollars in scholarships to attend their school.

In this hypothetical situation, Murray State athletics are faced with a serious dilemma that could cause it to lose out on prime recruits that, in turn, attract the reputation our basketball team holds.

In the spring of 2014, the NCAA approved a new system that allow the five most powerful conferences to give their athletes extra scholarship money. The legislation was meant for those schools – but it’s trickled down into the rest.

To stay competitive with these big five, smaller conferences are being forced to consider adopting the legislation as well. To Murray State, this could mean an additional $3,300 in scholarships for men’s and women’s basketball players.

Murray State athletics makes a large amount of its money from the basketball program. In fact, basketball actually pays for several other Murray State sports.

So if the program can’t recruit the Isaiah Canaans and the Cameron Paynes, how will the program fare in the OVC and financially?

In turn, the OVC is adopting the legislation for its basketball programs, primarily because it can’t afford to give these scholarships in other sports programs.

So if a volleyball player is offered a position at another school that does give more scholarship money, she would have a reason to turn down Murray State’s offer.

In a Board of Regents meeting last week, Athletic Director Allen Ward said this change could add up to an additional $95,000 in scholarships to basketball players.

He also said he wasn’t sure where this money would come from.

It would likely come out of the athletic budget. It would mean cutting programs within the department, just like all of the other cuts from the University so far.

The Chronicle for Higher Education highlighted some disparities between these big five conferences and smaller ones like the OVC. “Critics of the changes say they could contribute to continued competitive imbalances within Division I,” reporter Brad Wolverton said. “And they worry that the new system will cause many institutions to drop sports or to push to abolish NCAA sport minimums.”

Look back at the last few years’ budget cuts at Murray State.

Something athletics sees every year in recommendations is cutting the football program.

So, NCAA, lets add competition, higher athletics costs and imbalance to the equation. I think it’s fair to say there won’t be any additions of teams to Murray State athletics in the future. cgross2@murraystate.edu

01.24.15 | TBA | AWAY

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4B

September 5, 2014

The News

Features

Features Editor: Hunter Harrell Assistant Features Editor: Breanna Sill Phone: 270-809-5871 Twitter: MSUNewsFeatures

­

‘If you see something, say something’ Tiffany Whitfill || Staff writer twhitfill@murraystate.edu

Universities across the country take precautions every day to keep their campuses safe.

This week marked the beginning of National Campus Safety Awareness Month, and safety is a commitment at Murray State.

Murray State, along with other Kentucky universities, must follow the same laws and regulations.

According to Clery Center website, “The Michael Minger Act is a state law that requires public colleges and universities as well as private institutions licensed by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education in Kentucky to report campus crimes to their employees, students and the public on a timely basis.”

There are multiple employees who are trained to handle emergency situations on campus. Roy Dunaway, interim chief of Public Safety and Emergency Management, is proud of the office’s accomplishments.

“The safety precautions taken by our police department, in partnership with Student Affairs, Housing and other departments, received a prestigious distinction as being the first public university in the world to have been designated as a ‘Safe Campus’ by the World Health Organization in 2012,” Dunaway said.

Public Safety is a full-time police

Fumi Nakaruma/The News

Chase Hilsmeyer, senior from Evansville, Ind., and Michael Heck, senior from Camden, Tenn., check call boxes for Racer Patrol.

Campus event to educate on suicide prevention Hunter Harrell || Features Editor hharrell@murraystate.edu

In the time it takes a person to watch an average TV commercial, someone, somewhere has lost a battle.

Every 40 seconds, someone takes their own life.

This statistic adds up to approximately 800,000 people a year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

During the second week of September, people from around the globe participate in different activities, lectures and events to raise awareness for issues such as depression and suicide.

Groups and organizations like the WHO and To Write Love On Her Arms work to educate people on the stigmas surrounding suicide and depression during World Suicide Prevention Week.

According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, 15 percent of graduate and 18 percent of undergraduate students have seriously considered attempting suicide.

These statistics show that the issue is relevant to college campuses, and that Murray State is no exception.

“September is a month that is dedicated to raising awareness of a variety of issues on college campuses such as safety, depression, suicide and sexual assault,” said Abigail French, director of the Women’s Center. “Suicide Prevention week gives us a chance to join the national initiative, but also have a general focus on resources available to students.”

To direct students, faculty and staff to the right sources, The Women’s Center will host an event called “Speak Out” on the Carr Health Building lawn Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

“Speak Out” invites students to be actively involved in suicide prevention through games, quizzes and prizes.

“We’re working on a series of life-size board games for students to play and learn about the resources available on campus,” French said.

“There will be giveaways, prizes and plenty of information for students and faculty.”

Campus will also be decorated with cardboard life preservers with helpful tips and statistics associated with suicide prevention.

French’s goal for Suicide Prevention Week is to raise awareness about the campus resources, but also to help students feel less skeptical about using those resources.

“The idea is to raise awareness about resources,” French said. “(Depression) is a common occurrence on college campuses and it is OK to reach out and ask for help. I think it is also important that they have a face to associate with the counseling center so they feel more comfortable to ask for help.”

Fastest Growing Jobs

% of Change

Median Salary

Personal Care Aides

48.80%

$19,910

Home Health Aides

48.50%

$20,820

Medical Secretaries

36.00%

$31,350

Medical Assistants

29.00%

$29,370

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

24.80%

$41,540

Construction Laborers

24.30%

$29,990

Carpenters

24.20%

$39,940

Software Developers, Applications

22.80%

$90,060

Nursing Assistants

21.10%

$24,420

Registered Nurses

19.40%

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Graphic by Summer Bush

department with sworn officers.

“All sworn officers are trained at the Department of Criminal Justice Training Police Academy,” Dunaway said.

Another display of campus safety precautions taken by the University is Racer Patrol.

“They do not function as law enforcement officers, but are in constant contact with police officers and dispatch,” Dunaway said. “They provide security, surveillance and escorts for students.”

One of the jobs of Racer Patrol is to test the emergency programs.

Throughout Murray State’s campus are multiple blue call boxes which provide a direct communication line with dispatch through the police department.

The call boxes are available for anyone on campus. The average response time to emergency calls is two minutes.

The call boxes are also tested each day to make sure they are working properly and that the patrol can be alerted if necessary.

Among all safety precautions offered on our campus, some students say they are generally pleased.

Kirstie Willis, senior from Princeton, Ky., said that she generally feels safe on campus, depending on the time of day.

“During the day I feel safe because

see SAFETY, 5B

Freshmen seek help with major decisions Tiffany Whitfill || Staff writer twhitfill@murraystate.edu

What do you want to be when you grow up? This is a question that has been asked every year beyond kindergarten; however, within four years of college, students are expected to solidify their answers.

For incoming freshmen, this decision can be unclear when beginning college.

Approximately 12 percent of this year’s freshman class is undeclared.

However, there are almost as many freshmen who have declared their major as nursing.

Izel Leon, freshman from Murray, wasn’t always interested in nursing.

“My previous goal was to be a pediatrician,” Leon said. “But it costs a lot and takes a lot of time.”

After comparing the two fields, Leon decided that nursing was related to her interests. She also said Murray

had a great nursing program and allowed her to stay close to home.

“If you like where you are, then why leave?” Leon said.

She is also minoring in Spanish because being bilingual in the healthcare profession can lead to a pay increase and more job opportunities, she said.

Other students claim they chose their majors based on the change they wish to see in the world.

Joao Gabriel Salvi Martins is studying abroad from Brazil and majoring in environmental engineering.

“The world needs more technological advances to preserve nature from destruction,” Salvi Martins said.

Another reason students might be enticed to choose a career in nursing or engineering is the rate at which jobs are appearing in those fields.

However, that doesn’t limit jobs in

see MAJORS, 5B

Combat the common cold Madison Wepfer || Staff writer mwepfer@murraystate.edu

While students are coughing and sneezing their way to Health Services, Judy Lyle, interim associate director and health educator at Health Services, prepares for a day’s work filled with illnesses and bacteria.

“We get everything from sore throats, urinary tract infections and injuries,” Lyle said. “We’re seeing a little bit of everything.”

Students are already coming into Health Services with a wide variety of problems even though the school year began only three weeks ago.

Although Lyle receives several cases during her busy day, she said respiratory problems are the most common.

“Probably the most things that we’re seeing is respiratory issues caused from allergies,” Lyle said.

“Even if people don’t have seasonal allergies, the air has been very stagnant and hot; the tobacco barns are starting to fire and there is lots of pollen.”

Allergies may seem like a slight problem that can be diagnosed quickly and easily; however, with the pollen in the air, students are more susceptible to getting a cold,

which can lead to more serious diseases like bronchitis, Lyle said.

In order to combat these diseases, Lyle suggests several precautions students can take to stay healthy during the semester.

“The first thing and always first is wash your hands and wash them frequently,” Lyle said. “Keep them away from your face.”

By touching the face a lot, students can transmit diseases from their hands to their face, which causes them to get sick. Lyle said it is best to use warm soap and water, wash them for a minimum of one minute and pat them dry.

Hand sanitizer is an acceptable substitute as well.

“Two: drink lots of fluids and keep well-hydrated,” Lyle said.

“Water is most important. Stay away from sodas, not too much caffeine. Minimize or eliminate alcohol because it dehydrates the body.”

The purpose of drinking water is to hydrate the body. Drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol are dehydrating, which makes body secretions thicker and clogs up the sinuses, Lyle said.

Eating healthily and exercising is also important because it builds

see HEALTH, 5B

Kylie Townsend/The News

Riley Thornton, sophomore from Charleston, Mo.,and Ryan Kennedy, senior from Johannesburg, South Africa. exercise to stay healthy at the Wellness Center.

The News

Features

September 5, 2014

The week ahead...

TODAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

5B

If you would like an event to appear on the calendar here or on TheNews.org, email us at features@thenews.org. Please submit events by noon Wednesday for consideration.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

7:30 p.m.

Cinema International presents “The Great Beauty,” Curris Center Theater

7:30 p.m.

Cinema International presents “The Great Beauty,” Curris Center Theater

2 p.m.

Peer Education Training, TBA

7 p.m.

Sigma Alpha Sorority Rush Week, Curris Center, large ballroom

2 p.m.

Social Media Workshop, Faculty Development Center, Oakley Applied Science Building, room 107

10:30 a.m.

“Speak Out,” Carr Health Building lawn 5 p.m.

Japanese Origami Workshop, Faculty Hall, room 400

7:30 p.m.

Cinema International presents “The Great Beauty,” Curris Center Theater

MAJORS

From Page 4B

Kylie Townsend/The News

Approximately 12 percent of the freshman class chose nursing as their major.

other areas as well.

There are more than 140 majors at Murray State. Elementary education and animal technology/veternarian technology/pre-veternarian rounded out the third and fourth top major.

However, some majors had less than ten declared students.

These majors were athletic training, occupational safety and health/environmental health and safety, social work, middle school education, agricultural science, history and computer information systems.

Students may lack adequate information about what career path to take. To get information on which major suits a student’s personality and skills, they can contact the Career Services office for help.

Ross Meloan, director of Career Services,

SAFETY

HEALTH

From Page 4B

From Page 4B

I can see people walking around, and the call boxes help me feel safe at night as well,” Willis said.

There were a few suggestions that Willis said would make her feel safer on campus, especially during the evening hours.

“More lighting would make me feel safer,” Willis said.

“It would also be good to have designated areas throughout campus for safety personnel to be stationed.”

Murray State’s Public Safety functions 24 hours a day.

It has a full staff of trained dispatchers available at all times. Contacting the department is easy as well.

“We suggest that each student program our direct telephone number into their cellular telephones as a favorite,” Dunaway said. “The direct number is 270-809-2222.

If students are calling from an on-campus telephone, the caller only needs to dial 2222. A student may also choose to report an incident to their respective resident advisers, who will then contact the police department.”

As a confirmed “Safe Campus” by the World Health Organization, the goal of other on-campus safety precautions is “to be courteous, helpful and approachable to all members of the Murray State community,” Dunaway said. “If you see something, say something.”

up the immune system. Fruits and vegetables are especially important; sugar is OK but shouldn’t be consumed all the time, Lyle said.

“Exercise 20-30 minutes everyday above walking on campus to get to class,” Lyle said.

Physical health is important because one thing leads to another, and things like the common cold can lead to greater illnesses.

Health Services also deals with mental health. If the case cannot be solved using medication, students are referred to the University’s counseling office, Lyle said.

Stress and mental health issues can have a severe impact on physical health.

“Stress puts the body at risk for getting sick. It depletes the immune system,” Lyle said. “Sometimes students come in with nausea and vomiting; they’re so stressed out that the body can’t take it.”

Avoiding physical health problems can sometimes mean decreasing the stress put on students.

Although it is difficult to overcome stress each semester, students can always refer to Health Services for their needs.

as well as the rest of Career Services staff have been trained in interpreting theoretical, philosophical, personality and other qualities of students.

With this information, along with links on the Career Service website, each student’s path to their career is tailored to their own interests and needs.

“Many students are urged to select majors when they should probably remain undeclared so that they can explore what we offer,” Meloan said.

There are multiple resources online to find and choose a major, discover internships and take career assessment tests.

Some students will stay with their declared major throughout college while others may change more than once.

“It takes about nine months for students to find the job that they like, where they like and for the pay that they want,” Meloan said.

Take advantage of the resources at Murray State so that major life decisions become easy choices.

Graphic by Summer Bush

Photo courtesy of professionalfangirls.com

Chloe Grace Moretz and Jamie Blackley play a young couple in R.J. Cutler’s adaptation of Gayle Forman’s best-selling novel, ‘If I Stay.’ The movie was released in theaters Aug. 15.

‘If I Stay’ a typical tear-jerking tale John Gruccio || Contributing writer jgruccio@murraystate.edu

‘If I Stay’ is an adapted film from a popular novel. I am sure this comes as a shock to no one since young adult and graphic novels have been popular in the film industry for the last couple years.

With their increasing popularity, they give actors of all calibers great chances to play a wide assortment of roles. It is the same story with R.J. Cutler’s adaptation of “If I Stay.”

For young Mia Hall (Chloe Grace Moretz), the toughest decision in her life thus far has been whether to pursue her musical talents at the prestigious Juilliard School of Arts or to choose a path with the love of her life, Adam

(Jamie Blackley). However, when she is involved in a car accident where her life hangs in the balance, everything changes. Now, caught in between life and death, Mia must make one final decision.

The film stars Moretz, Blackley, Mireille Enos, Joshua Leonard, Aisha Hinds, Liana Liberato and Stacy Keach. R.J. Cutler directs the film, which is based on Gayle Forman’s novel of the same name.

Moretz is one of the best parts of this film.

She shows, once more, that a young actress can bring the audiences emotions full circle with her acting capability. When needed, she can take any scene to its fullest potential or leave you desperate for more.

Two other standouts in the film are Keach and

Blackley. Keach, who plays Mia’s grandfather, is refreshing for an actor of his age. The amount of sorrow and love he shows in his brief time on the screen is believable and genuine. In his scenes, he cuts through the bull of emotion and shows that there is such a thing as true sentiment.

Blackley, even though he is competing against other actors this year such as Ansel Elgort (“The Fault in Our Stars”) and Theo James (“Divergent”), finds comfort in his role and makes it his own. For a tireless role of a musician boyfriend, Blackley brings a certain and unique level of gentleness.

As with most films of its kind, “If I Stay” sadly does not compare to its book counterpart.

Moretz, who most of us know as the young and violent superhero, Hit-Girl, from the “Kick-Ass”

series, has tons of heart and patience with this film project.

The film also suffers from its tendency to over-dramatize the young and in love aspect.

We all know that young love can be intriguing and even exciting, but there has to be a noticeable electricity or chemistry between the couple, which just is not the case here.

Flashbacks take on a huge role in this film, which I believe sincerely hurt the film’s chance of being taken as anything other than a sad drama. Some people don’t always want to be in the past and then have the jump to the present.

With a great cast and an intelligent look at the place between life and death, “If I Stay” is an interesting romance flick, but I would not get your hopes up for anything more.

6B

Features

The News September 5, 2014